Dear George,

As has been reported, I have been carefully considering a run for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Over the past few months, I have consulted with family and friends, Democrats and Republicans, business associates and members of the Virginia Legislature.

Many have encouraged me to run.

They know, as I do, that the Legislature has been struggling to deal with the changes that technology has brought to our Commonwealth and to our lives. My time as an advisory committee member of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science helped me understand that we can do better.

They know, as I do, that we are trying to run a twenty-first century government with a tax system grounded in the nineteenth century. As a businessman, I know that we can do better.

And in a state lit by Thomas Jefferson's love of reason and learning, we are not doing enough, not nearly enough, to teach our children well. Simply, we can do better.

So, I have been eager to make a difference.

However, eagerness must be tempered by day to day realities. And the reality is that business must be a priority for me right now. My company, creative perspectives, is on track for another record year. Our newest company Pitchsmart, which helps people make presentations on the Internet, is beginning to gain traction in the marketplace. For me to engage, at this time, in a long, difficult campaign would be a disservice to our clients and employees.

As such, I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for the 57th District in this election cycle.

Thomas McCrystal (electronic mail, May 28, 2003)